Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur, known as the "Pink City," is a marvel of historical and architectural brilliance. It was one of India’s first planned cities, meticulously designed by architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya according to Vastu Shastra principles. The distinctive pink color of its buildings, adopted in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales, symbolizes the city’s tradition of hospitality.
Jaipur seamlessly blends its regal heritage with modern infrastructure, making it an ideal location for global events. The city boasts state-of-the-art conference facilities, luxury accommodations, and efficient transportation networks. Jaipur stands as a testament to exemplary urban planning and architectural brilliance.
Historical Architecture for sight seeing includes:
Hawa Mahal
This iconic "Palace of Winds" features a unique five-story façade with 953 small windows, allowing royal women to observe street festivities unseen. Its intricate latticework and red sandstone construction are masterpieces of Rajput architecture.
Amber Fort
Perched on a hilltop, the Amber Fort showcases a blend of Hindu and Mughal styles, with ornate halls, mirrored ceilings, and picturesque courtyards. It offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Jaipur’s royals.
City Palace
This sprawling complex, still home to the royal family, encompasses courtyards, gardens, and buildings with intricate peacock doorways, museums, and an impressive collection of art and artifacts.
Jantar Mantar
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this observatory constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II features massive astronomical instruments made of stone and brass, reflecting advanced scientific understanding of the 18th century.
Nahargarh Fort
Perched atop the Aravalli hills in Jaipur, this historic fortress offers panoramic views of the cityscape below, making it an ideal spot for capturing breathtaking moments as the sun rises or sets over the horizon.
Jal Mahal
It’s an iconic architectural marvel nestled amidst Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur. This mesmerizing palace, built in the 18th century, appears to float serenely on the shimmering waters, creating a picturesque sight that captivates visitors.
Panna Meena Ka Kund
It’s a breathtaking stepwell known for its unique architectural design and historical significance. Built during the Mughal era, this ancient water reservoir features symmetrical staircases, intricate carvings, and a tranquil ambiance, making it a captivating destination for tourists and photography enthusiasts.
Albert Hall Museum
The building gets its name from The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the inspiration for its design. The museum displays a wide range of metal objects, wood crafts, carpets, stone and metal sculptures, arms and weapons, natural stones and ivory goods. It also houses a large collection of miniatures from Bundi, Kota, Kishangarh, Udaipur and Jaipur schools of art.
Galtaji(Monkey) Temple
Galtaji is an ancient pilgrimage centre in Jaipur. Set amidst low hills and packed with locals and tourists alike, the attractive spot has temples, pavilions and holy kunds (natural springs and water tanks). locally called the Monkey temple. It gets this moniker because of a large group of resident monkeys. The green landscape and chattering monkeys add to the delight of the area.
Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort was built by Sawai Jai Singh II sometime in the early 18th century amidst the arid, rocky and thorn-scrub covered hills. Despite its ancient construction, it still retains most of its imposing citadel appearance. Visitors can see the world's largest cannon-Jaiban, at the fort.
Modern Architecture for sight seeing includes:
World Trade Park
A symbol of Jaipur’s modernity, this architectural marvel combines retail, entertainment, and business spaces in a futuristic design, featuring sky bridges and a striking glass façade.
Jhalana Leopard Safari
Located in the heart of Jaipur, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to encounter the elusive leopards in their natural habitat. With its proximity to the city, it’s a convenient and unforgettable wildlife adventure for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers alike.
Patrika Gate
A mesmerizing architectural marvel located in Jaipur, stands as a symbol of the city's vibrant heritage and artistic prowess. Adorned with intricate Rajasthani motifs, vibrant colors, and stunning craftsmanship, this ornamental entrance gate welcomes visitors to the Jawahar Circle garden.
Toran Dwar
This ornate gateway, adorned with intricate carvings and traditional motifs, serves as an iconic entrance to significant landmarks or auspicious venues. As a popular tourist destination, it provides an ideal backdrop for photographs and a memorable introduction to Jaipur's architectural splendor.
While attending the medical conference in Jaipur, take time to savor the city’s culinary treasures and explore its vibrant shopping hubs. Here’s a glimpse of what Jaipur has to offer beyond the conference halls.
Famous Cuisines include:
Tea
The chai – lovers of Jaipur are spoilt for a reason. The city painted pink has a lot of places that serve perfumed and milky chai. The famous ones include Gulab Ji Chaiwala, Sahu ki Chai, Tapri Central etc.
Rajasthani Thali
Experience the flavors of Rajasthan with a sumptuous thali meal featuring dal bati churma, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, and more, served in traditional style. The most famous places are Choki Dhani, Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar, etc.
Pyaz Kachori
Treat your taste buds to the crispy and savory pyaz kachori, a popular local snack filled with spiced onion mixture, best enjoyed with tangy chutneys. The most famous places are Rawat Mishthan Bhandar, Samrat Restaurant, etc.
Ghevar
Conclude your culinary journey with the delectable Ghevar, a traditional Rajasthani sweet made from flour, sugar syrup, and garnished with nuts, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors. The most famous places are Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar, Sambhar Fini Wala, etc.
Famous shopping places include:
Johari Bazaar
Dive into the labyrinthine alleys of Johari Bazaar, Jaipur’s renowned jewelry market, offering a dazzling array of gemstones, Kundan Meena jewelry, and traditional Rajasthani designs.
Bapu Bazaar
Lose yourself in the colorful chaos of Bapu Bazaar, a bustling marketplace brimming with textiles, handicrafts, leather goods, and Jaipuri quilts, perfect for souvenirs or gifts.
Tripolia Bazaar
Discover the timeless charm of Tripolia Bazaar, known for its exquisite brassware, ironware, utensils, and traditional lac bangles, showcasing Jaipur's rich artisanal heritage.
MI Road
Stroll along MI Road, Jaipur’s modern thoroughfare, lined with upscale boutiques, designer stores, and emporiums offering a curated selection of Jaipuri textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts.
Sanganer Market
Here, visitors can explore a labyrinth of narrow lanes adorned with shops showcasing exquisite textiles, traditional handicrafts, and captivating blue pottery. Famous for its intricate designs and vibrant hues, blue pottery adds a unique charm to the market, alongside block-printed textiles, handcrafted paper products, pottery, and leather goods.
What to see near the conference
Get clicked at the pink Patrika Gate and the newly constructed Toran Gate opposite the airport. For a quick shopping spree, stop at the World Trade Park for a selection of international brands like Zara, Sephora, Swarovski, Superdry and Forest Essentials among others. Try your luck at spotting a leopard at the Jhalana safari for which you need to book well in advance. And should you appreciate arts, don’t miss out the Jawahar Kala Kendra for art galleries, plays and exhibitions. Indian Coffee House inside is also worth visiting for a humble dosa and cutlet. Another eatery inside JKK is Cafe Quaint–a sustainable kitchen mastering healthy, soulful recipes. For some downtime with nature, head to Smriti Van and you’ll stumble upon plenty of peacocks and rare birds. Bringing kids along? Take them to PUNO in Jewel of India for an adventurous arcade experience.
Where to drink near the conference
Ohana atop GT Central is known for its kooky concoctions. Must-try are their pink gin cocktails, Almoner feat. Jalapeno tea and Herald with Yuzu Soda. On the opposite rooftop is Neo–Jaipur’s trusted Saturday night haunt. Be it your whiskey sour, Gin & Tonic or a pint of beer–trust the bartender to serve your classics just how you like them.
Bur’Dera nearby stirs things up with quirky concoctions–think Irish whiskey with smoked apple wood, white rum with coconut cream and gin infused with ginger and cucumber. Mezo Jaipur’s cocktail menu is no less than a novelty. The choices will likely leave you confused but do order the Luscious–a Biscoff flavoured cocktail, Lose Never Found peppered with coriander seeds and capsicum and Pop-A-Corn Tini to munch while you sip.
By Poorvi Singhal
Poorvi Singhal is a Jaipur-based food, travel and fashion writer. Currently the editorial assistant for Bridal Asia, she has also been published in the Conde Nast Traveller, Hindustan Times Mint Lounge, Tweak India and First India among others.